The City of Waynesville joined sister city, Saint Robert, as a Purple Heart City on March 21, 2013. Waynesville is now part of the Purple Heart Trail along Interstate 44. The City of Saint Robert became the first city on the Interstate 44 corridor to become a Purple Heart City on the Purple Heart Trail January 7, 2013. Waynesville is the fifth city in Missouri to receive the Purple Heart City designation, joining in the states effort to honor those veterans who have been wounded or killed while in military service to our country. The declaration follows legislative action which made Missouri’s entire sections of Interstate 44 and 70 a Purple Heart Trail.
A Purple Heart City is a community with “great admiration and gratitude for the men and women who have served this country.”
Commander Everett Kelley, of Buffalo, and long-time Waynesville resident, SGM (Retired) Edgar Irizarry presented a flag and plaque to the City making that designation. Mayor Luge Hardman stated that the City is “honored to be included in this designation, as we honor the service of our valiant military.” The City of Waynesville will proudly fly the Purple Heart flag on special days.

Ret SGM Edgar Izizarry and Commander Everett Kelley present the Purple Heart City flag to Waynesville Mayor, Luge Hardman. The flag will proudly be flown on special days.

The Purple Heart Trail was established in 1992 by the Military Order of the Purple Heart to be a symbolic trail throughout all 50 states to commemorate and honor all men and women who have been wounded or killed in combat while serving in the U.S. armed forces. The Purple Heart Trail originates in Mount Vernon, Va., and traverses the United States to California.
The designation of both St. Robert and Waynesville as Purple Heart Cities is another indicator of the prevalent patriotism that runs deep in Pulaski County USA.
www.purpleheart.orgwww.waynesvillemo.orgwww.pulaskicountyusa.com